The 4’s made the long trek to the outskirts of Dorset to take on a strong Marnhull 2nds side.
Poole 4’s made a couple of changes too the side that beat Winton 4’s with the return of Kirt Holland and Dominic Davies coming in. Skipper Matt Reed lost the toss and Marnhull elected to insert Poole on a green looking track.
Phil Sansom and Billy Michaels opened and started well seeing off some good bowling. Sansom fell soon after mistiming a drive and the ball looped up to point for an easy catch. James Bice joined Billy Michaels and after an impressive maiden 50 at Winton would look too kick on, however Marnhulls disciplined lines brought rewards with Billy Michaels falling to a good inswinger, Joe Dykes entered the fray at Poole reeling at 17-2 and he steadied the ship defending , leaving and taking the quick singles. Unfortunately Bice couldn’t kick on from a start and got a dubious decision of LBW. Tom Smethurst and Dykes proceeded to frustrate Marnhull for a period of sensible batting and at drinks Poole were 49-3. Soon after however Smethurst fell and Rob Hellawell joined Dykes. Hellawell started to increase the run rate with some sweetly timed blows and Dykes was happy to rotate the strike. Dykes fell to a good delivery bowled but could hold his head high after a good knock of 28 in the circumstances. Dominic Davies joined Hellawell and the two put on a quick fire partnership that propelled Poole upto a competitive total Davies fell and Stuart Peters came in looking to get quick runs however was soon back too the pavilion aswell. Hellawell batted excellently but was caught in the deep on 49!
Matt Reed scored quick runs and Kirt Holland edged a few 4’s as Poole really frustrated the Marnhull attack, ending up all out for a excellent 167 given the wicket.
Marnhull came out to bat after tea in the better of the conditions however the pitch being so soft had teared up a bit. Tom Perry was given the new ball and bowled an excellent line from the off. Skipper Matt Reed opened from the other end and was rewarded early with Hellawell taking a great grab diving forward. Pooles good lines and consistently good fielding restricted Marnhull and the pressure told as another wicket fell almost immediately after Stuart Peters came on replacing Matt Reed and an excellent catch by Dominic Davies left Marnhull 28-2 off 14 overs.
Kirt Holland came on and bowled an excellent probing line and wickets fell in quick succession leaving Marnhull with a mountain to climb at drinks at 43-6.
After Drinks Poole continued the intensity and with Marnhull chasing the game Poole snaffled two run outs and Billy Michaels come on and bowled excellently to take the last wicket. Apart from an excellent 50 from Marnhulls wicketkeeper batsman this would have been over a lot quicker.
Another fantastic team performance against a tough team. Can Poole reach the summit next Saturday at home too Swanage 3’s.?
Poole 4’s 167 A/O
Hellawell 49
Dykes 28
Davies 28
Marnhull 2nds 110 A/O
Stuart Peters 3-17
Kirt Holland 3-25
MOM Rob Hellawell
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